Making Aliyah from Belo Horizonte and Finding a Home in Israel
Making Aliyah from Belo Horizonte and Finding a Home in Israel
Making aliyah from Belo Horizonte often means leaving a small, warm community where everyone knows everyone. In Israel, families from Minas find a much larger Jewish world and, at the same time, the challenge of building a new network from scratch. The formal process runs through the Jewish Agency, but the question of where to live shapes almost everything else: school, work, community and daily routine. This guide covers the preparations to make in Belo Horizonte, the role of community networks, the cities worth considering, the choice between renting and buying, the balance between school, ulpan and work and the legal care required when buying a first home.
Starting in Belo Horizonte
Gather civil documents, academic records and proof of eligibility early, with translations and apostilles where needed. Because the local community is small, it is worth contacting the Jewish Agency representation in Brazil directly for guidance.
Speak with a Brazilian accountant about leaving Brazilian tax residency and about any assets you will keep, such as an apartment in Lourdes or a family business.
A small community, a large network
Although the community in Belo Horizonte is modest in size, its members are connected to Brazilians all over Israel. Friends and relatives who have already made aliyah can share practical advice about neighbourhoods, schools and landlords. Some families from Minas deliberately choose a city where acquaintances already live, because a familiar face and a Portuguese conversation make the first months far less lonely, especially for grandparents who move with the family.
Online groups of Brazilian olim are active and helpful, but always confirm legal and financial information with licensed professionals.
Cities to consider
Jerusalem attracts families who want an intense religious and cultural life. Modiin offers new neighbourhoods and a young population, and Raanana and Kfar Saba provide international communities with many services in English.
Haifa offers a more relaxed pace, universities and sea views, while Beer Sheva and the Negev offer more space and a strong academic presence.
Jerusalem for religious and cultural life
Modiin for young families
Raanana and Kfar Saba for international communities
Haifa and Beer Sheva for space and universities
Rent or buy
Renting during the first year gives you time to learn the city, test commutes and understand the market. Leases are usually annual and require guarantees.
Buying immediately can make sense if you already know the neighbourhood well, perhaps because relatives live there. Olim can sometimes benefit from reduced purchase tax or special mortgage terms for a period after arrival; how those rules apply to your family is a question for an Israeli lawyer and tax advisor, not for guesswork.
School, ulpan and work
Children usually adapt quickly to Israeli schools, especially where there are programmes for new immigrants. Adults benefit from living near a good ulpan and from checking early whether their Brazilian qualifications require recognition in Israel.
Commuting time matters in Israel, where traffic can be heavy. Living near a train station or a major bus route can make a big difference to daily life. Before signing a lease, try the journey to work and to ulpan at rush hour, not only on a quiet afternoon.
Care when buying
The purchase itself should be handled by an Israeli lawyer with no ties to the seller. Beyond drafting the contract, a good lawyer looks at the land registry extract, municipal debts, building permits and any renewal plans affecting the building, then records a warning note so no one else can acquire the apartment before you.
Plan the transfer of funds from Brazil with your bank and your Brazilian accountant, so the money arrives on time and is documented properly.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a community from Minas Gerais in Israel
There is no single mineiro neighbourhood, but many families from Belo Horizonte live in Israel and are connected through the wider Brazilian community.
Which city is best for families with young children
Modiin, Raanana, Kfar Saba and many Jerusalem neighbourhoods are popular with young families. The best choice depends on work, religious life and budget.
Can we keep property in Belo Horizonte after aliyah
Yes. Keeping property in Brazil has tax implications in both countries, so plan it with a Brazilian accountant and an Israeli tax advisor.
How long should we rent before buying
There is no fixed rule. Many families rent for about a year, but the decision depends on how quickly they settle into a city.
Elkayam Group
Elkayam Group, a Tel Aviv firm whose office is on Rival Street, carries forward a family story that began in industry in the forties and is now in the hands of the third generation. It is engaged in development, urban renewal including TAMA 38 and pinui-binui, and in combination and complex deals in which backing companies and partners provide the guarantees. Working in Hebrew, English and French, the team helps new immigrants from Belo Horizonte understand where and how to buy.
Planning your move from Belo Horizonte Contact Elkayam Group about your first Israeli home.
+972-53-658-4252 · support@kobielkayamrealestateltd.com · Rival St 37, Tel Aviv